Iman al-Obeidi, Libya Woman Claiming Rape, Will Face Charges

TRIPOLI, Libya — A Libyan woman who burst into a Tripoli hotel to tell foreign journalists how she was gang raped by Moammar Gadhafi's troops will face criminal charges, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.

The spokesman, Moussa Ibrahim, said the men accused by Iman al-Obeidi are now suing her. A son of a high ranking Libyan official was among those she claimed had raped her, he said.

"The boys she accused are bringing a case against her because it's a very grave offense to accuse someone of a sexual crime," Ibrahim told reporters in the Libyan capital.

Al-Obeidi made headlines when she rushed distraught into Tripoli's Rixos Hotel on Saturday, seeking to speak to foreign media. She claimed she was detained by a number of Gadhafi troops at a Tripoli checkpoint on Wednesday. She said they were drinking whiskey and handcuffed her, and that 15 men later raped her.

Al-Obeidi's claim could not be independently verified. The Associated Press only identifies rape victims who volunteer their names.

As she started to tell her story, al-Obeidi was tackled by waitresses and government minders and dragged away from the hotel, and has since been missing. Her parents claim she is held hostage at Gadhafi's compound in the Libyan capital.

Libyan authorities have alternately labeled al-Obeidi a drunk, a prostitute and a thief.

Ibrahim on Tuesday refused to discuss al-Obeidi's whereabouts. But in an interview with the AP on Sunday, he had said she was with her sister in the Libyan capital. He also said at the time that police have a file on al-Obeidi for prostitution and petty theft.

However, al-Obeidi's parents told satellite Al-Jazeera Television on Monday that their daughter is a lawyer now pursuing a post-graduate degree.

The mother said she received a phone call Monday from an unidentified caller, purportedly from the Gadhafi camp, telling her al-Obeidi is held at the Tripoli compound and asking her to instruct her daughter to change the rape claim in return for freedom and other benefits such as cash or a new house.

The parents lauded their daughter's courage in stepping forward about her ordeal. It was unclear where they spoke from and Al-Jazeera did not provide their names.

The London-based Amnesty International said Monday that al-Obeidi's account was "stomach-churning" and called on Libyan authorities to launch "an independent and impartial investigation" into the case, reveal al-Obeidi's whereabouts and set her free.

Comments

[samba2623]

04:46 AM on 03/31/2011

If she stays in this country her life is over, either in prison or dead. She needs to leave, far far away !!!

[Fireslayer]

03:42 AM on 03/31/2011

“To the Honorable Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Committee:

Libyan attorney Iman al-Obeidi has courageous­ly set herself in harms way to bring forth a plea for justice for women who. like her, are the victims of histories most ignored and least acknowledg­ed and appreciate­d casualties of war.

The Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Committee stands for elevating and highlighti­ng those who have given the most for the cause of peace. Who can deny Ms al-Obeidi'­s contributi­on to this discourse which is beyond exemplary?

She is the most courageous actor in the continuing quest for peace for our planet. She ranks with Aung San Su Ky as a heroic figure of our times.

Please award her the Nobel Peace Prize. She is beyond anything I have seen in my lifetime as a committed activist for peace.

Sincerely, ********** Esq.

COME ON EVERYONE, GET IN THE GAME!. nobelprize­.org”

[jo smith456]

07:46 PM on 03/30/2011

HOPE THIS IS NOT LIKE in 1991,

when the US cooked up a story about the "incubation babies" as narrated by one nurse, Nayirah.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nayirah_(testimony)

[Sandy Obu]

06:33 PM on 03/30/2011

From the forced SEX of rape to marrital SEX, does this make any sense? It seems the arranged marriage for the woman gang raped by Qaddafi's troops is for the sanity of the Parents and Islamic community; not the victim. Using marrital consummation for repairing a 'RAPE' victims damage reputation is cruel and insensitve. Isn't it only fair a rape victim be given ample time to heal MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY before her next sexual encounter? It seems Islam is one of those cultures who blame the woman by saying, "If the woman never open her legs, the rape would never occurred!" Where is the shame in something that is not your fault? Marriage should be LOVE first, family honor second.

[dlp7202]

05:36 PM on 03/30/2011

"Question: Will Obama be a JFK - or will his ego force him to DOUBLE DOWN like Bush."

I don't think that Obama will escalate anywhere near that of George III. The American people
are not going to support another war after the mess in Iraq. Many, myself included, think that
we need to define our intended outcome(s) for these wars, and leave. Coalitions are coming
apart leaving America with too much of these 2 wars already.

While my opinion of the two wars that we, as a society, need to conduct should be discussed elsewhere, we must recognize that Lybia is fighting their own war to effect a change in government: it is their war, and they will ultimately have to decide how to conduct it; they will have to decide what changes that their people want, and it is up to Lybians as to wether they can win or lose.

UN involvement: certainly. Another war for the American people to fight: certainly not.


Dave/

[lc1]

05:54 AM on 03/31/2011

there were many factions in iraq fighting each other after saddom was removed from power. iraq could have fallen apart in a civil war. libya is a tribal nation, after gadaffi is gone a similar problem may appear forcing Obama to take action or let libya fall apart, and potentially put southern libya in terrorist control.doing the right thing is not double downing.

[dlp7202]

01:19 PM on 03/31/2011

ic!,
You have a major point that I simply had not given enough thought...and that is the tribal
culture..If Lybia has any plan to replace the existing government, I am not aware of it, so I will do more homework. (fanned)
Thanks for your post
Dave/

[Miss Peaches]

04:14 PM on 03/30/2011

It angered me that the women working at the hotel would help detain her. Regardless of who you support politically you can't change the fact that as a woman you are always vulnerable. I pray they release her soon and justice is served.

[SavvyWire]

06:33 PM on 03/30/2011

My opinion exactly; but more relevant: Why are we there? What is this population? Low literacy, ruffians/rebels/Al Quaida? Leadership? Culture? "Males" ganged up and sexually assaulted a CBS journalist in public [the desire but not the ability?]; other "males" attacked this woman and given the circumstances without witnesses, but for the bruises she displayed to journalists sequestered in a hotel [witness prevention?], is now allegedly a prostitute [having taken time to complete law school?] Those "residents" seem like a bunch of whackoes to me! And given even a senior statesman of Israel complimented the ability of Mobarek to keep his people "in check," who would succeed Gadafi? Obama doesn't know "the time of day" outside the "south side of Chicago, the Political corruption capitol of the US, and his "most trusted advisor" was one of those in those backrooms?

[VirginiaJeff]

03:49 PM on 03/30/2011

Check out Libya's version of Bill O'Reilly. Her name is Hala Al-Misrati and she has a show on state-controlled TV. Her commentary is packed with unintended irony.
 

We went to see Ms. Eman Al-Obaidi, the woman who today caused noise and disruption and tried to worry us. We know she only created such a scene to bring attention to herself and those behind her. I tried to talk to her, to find out why she wanted to harm Gaddafi's brigades by accusing them and naming some of them by name.
 
I apologize to Eman's family, because I will talk very honestly about everything the way I always do. There are people calling our control room who want to expose her history.
 
When I was first asked to talk to this girl, I said, "I'm not going." From a psychological perspective, we know that any females that have gone through such a crisis are not going to act like this woman did. This is not opinion; this is psychology.
 
Girls have been raped in many places. In Sirt, the labs are full of families bringing their girls for pregnancy tests. These families would die 1000 times before bringing this news out to the public. Because these people are honorable. They would rather suffer, maybe even kill their daughters. This is our Libyan character.
 
So, we went to see her, but she refused to meet with a Libyan news agency. I told Eman, "We won't be shooting footage of you. We're not here to discredit you. Tell us the truth. Why did you do this?" But she spoke harshly about Libyan media, claiming Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya channels are by far superior!
 
The important thing is she's a liar. I said, "You and those like you have ruined Libya." She replied, "Libyan Channels -- no! Bring me Al-Jazeera, bring me Al-Arabiya."
 
Now, we're not against her appearing on Al-Jazeera or Al-Arabiya. She won't be the first or the last to talk to them. But even a prostitute has national pride, when she knows her country is in danger. Even a prostitute.
 
Tomorrow we will show you the truth. What Eman doesn't know, is that we were able to record our meeting using a hidden camera. We taped her without her knowledge, while she was talking to prisoners and her sister. I apologize to Amal Al-Obaidi, but your sister is a sell-out to her country, and to the Libyan people. All she cares about is her benefit, and the benefit of her boyfriend -- or boyfriends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVFeB4QN1xU

[SavvyWire]

06:37 PM on 03/30/2011

What was particularly repugnant was the a woman in the room attached this victim and it shows that "women" are very supportive of the culture and do not come to the aid of those who would challenge it!

[gmb007]

01:26 PM on 03/30/2011

Report: Eman Al-Obeidi gets married VIDEOS

Eman Al-Obeidi’s fiancee has spoken earlier on Al Jazeera saying that he was already engaged to her and that they have performed the marriage ceremony with the Shiekh. Although she was not present, and her whereabouts remain unknown, Eman’s fiancee and family arranged this ceremony in her honor (See note below).

He also stated that he was proud to be married to Eman. His name is Faraj Ghaithi. The families had an understanding that they will be married in the future.

Below is a video of the celebrations that took place. The women are chanting “Oh Eman oh Eman, we put your picture in the square” They are showing that they support her.

Flashing the car’s taillights and honking the horn indicate a joyous occasion. This tradition takes place during weddings in many Arab countries.

Her fiancee, Faraj is shown at 0:22.

Al-Aan channel which interviewed Eman’s cousin, also called Tobruk, Eman’s home town to confirm that the marriage ceremony did take place.

Note:

An Islamic marriage ceremony can take place with representatives from both sides (from the bride and groom) to give their consent. It is understood that Eman has previously agreed to marry Faraj, and that there was an ‘understanding’ between the two families.

http://feb17.info/news/report-eman-al-obeidi-gets-married/

[VirginiaJeff]

04:06 PM on 03/30/2011

 
Thank you for posting this update.  Perhaps she has broken barriers beyond Gaddafi's regime, reaching into the very culture of her society.

[gmb007]

11:59 AM on 03/30/2011

Video: CNN speaks to Eman Al-Obeidi’s Mom
@feb17libya mother of #EmanAlObeidi says she hasn't heard from her daughter in 3 days, read more (9:21pm) http://t.co/3erwnRF #Libya #Feb17

@jenanmoussa @feb17libya Pls. RT. Mom and cousins tell me #Emanelobeide not free. They never saw her. All details will come later. #Libya #FreeEman

@jenanmoussa Mom tells me, "I tried to call the regime after they announced release but no one answered. They did not call me at all." #FreeEman

[Lindstr7]

12:17 PM on 03/30/2011

Thank you for that. I only wish Eman knew that women around the world are outraged and are signing petitions for her release and doing what little we can to demand justice for her. We are with her in spirit, thought and, for those who pray, prayer.

[Hare]

10:59 AM on 03/30/2011

The workers at the Hotel are all government employees ans spies of Qaddafi's, that is why all jumped on her and drag her out. Journalist are surrounded by the enemy, I would not eat their food if I was them.

[VirginiaJeff]

02:14 PM on 03/30/2011

 
LOL.  I had the same thought!

[Rharte]

09:05 AM on 03/30/2011

This is so sad. I wish she had met with journalists privately, away from the watchful eyes of the govt thugs rather than storming in the way she did. This whole thing is bizarre. How is it possible that a rape victim (or at least alleged) is denied the opportunity to plead her case in court and is instead being sued by her alleged attackers.

[blueken]

09:05 AM on 03/30/2011

While this a horrible story, and I truely feel sorry for this poor woman, it reminds me that contractors in Iraq and Afganistahn are immune from prosecution on civil charges like rape. The corporations are also immune from lawsuits. Has the United States become Libya with a bigger army and better weapons?

[Hare]

10:46 AM on 03/30/2011

Has been all along sounds more like it. Reality is grimmer than what we can believe.

[kkdkdkdkdk]

08:22 AM on 03/30/2011

Justice Libyan style. How dare she let those men rape her. What was she thinking? These poor innocent soldiers were just minding their business when she taped her hands to her ankle, etc. She ought to be prosecuted to the full extent of Sharia. If more rape victims were prosecuted there would be less rapes, right?

How can men with a brain cell working do such things?

[utbes01]

08:43 AM on 03/30/2011

Guidelines are in their "religion" for this. Women are not human beings in the Islamic view, they are chattel property and have no rights or say in anything.

[azdirk]

09:29 AM on 03/30/2011

Look back a couple of hundred years and you would see the same situation here for married women, at least. Even now, many people will argue that the victims of rape "asked for it."

[shoosh09]

10:26 AM on 03/30/2011

I resent that. Im a educated Muslim woman and know MANY others like me (male and female) We are not considered as chattel property no where in the Quran does it say that. In fact Prophet Muhammed(pbuh) says, "God enjoins you to treat women well, for they are your mothers, daughters, aunts.” Get your facts straight and get educated about ISLAM.

[Macready]

07:22 AM on 03/30/2011

I am so worried for her . . i wish I could get her away from Gaddafi . . . .

[Chockolate]

07:31 AM on 03/30/2011

Ghadaffi actually has a solid history of supporting women's rights, so I wouldn't go assuming he had something to do with the alledged rape. He apparently has quite a lot of respect for females.

[Macready]

07:53 AM on 03/30/2011

Did you see the footage of her being bundled into a car by pro-Gaddafi officials? and the altercation in the hotel dining room . . it was scary . . . . very scary . . . I am surprised she is still alive .. one minder pulled a gun on her and a waitress pulled out a knife. . . . Jonathan Miller from Channel 4 News was trying to help her when the minders forced her into a car and he was pushed aside very forcibly . . . . so yes . . I am very worried for her despite what you say . . .

[kkdkdkdkdk]

08:24 AM on 03/30/2011

Yeah, right. His 40 virgin guard tells me all I want to know about his "respect" for women. He's trying to cash in on the virgins before his martyrdom. He has the highest respect for women, who could possibly question that? Are you new?

[BETGR627]

07:18 AM on 03/30/2011

Despite all of the problems we have here - makes me really glad to live in the United States. It is not perfect, for sure but at least it is better than in Libya and other countries that totally do not respect women.

[BETGR627]

07:23 AM on 03/30/2011

I also wonder why any woman would file a false charge of rape in that country knowing what could happen. She seemed distraught enough for it to be true and I will give her the benefit of the doubt. It seems like too many men protest too much but I doubt much will come from any man being prosecuted.

[way2old]

08:26 AM on 03/30/2011

Exactly.........there is no reason.